PNP files direct assault, illegal possession of guns vs ex-Batangas vice gov

MANILA, Philippines — After initially being tagged only as a suspect for a cybercrime connected to violence against women and children (VAWC), former Batangas Vice Governor Richard “Ricky” Recto finds himself in deeper trouble after being charged for direct assault and illegal possession of firearms.

Police Lieutenant Michelle Sabino, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), on Wednesday detailed the arrest which first sparked from a complaint from Recto’s former partner.

“Iyong ex-girlfriend niya, nagreklamo na allegedly case of VAWC. Ang complain niya is allegedly ni-threaten siya nitong si suspect na i-expose ang kaniyang explicit photos and videos,” Sabino told INQUIRER.net in an interview.

(His ex-girlfriend complained about an alleged case of VAWC. The suspect was allegedly threatening to expose the woman’s explicit photos and videos.)

The PNP-ACG on Sunday raided Recto’s Pasig residence by virtue of a warrant to search, seize, and examine computer data (WSSECD), originally with the sole intention of seizing electronic devices that may be used in the investigation.

But police authorities also found unregistered firearms in his residence which according to Sabino, adds to the charges against the former government official.

“Kukunin lang namin iyong mga gadget pertaining to the case. But we found firearms scattered around the room before the eyes noong operatives natin. Iyong 11 ‘yong nakita namin. Out of these 11, five are unregistered. So illegal possession rin,” she added.

(We were just going to confiscate the gadgets pertaining to the case, but we found right before the eyes of our operatives, 11 firearms scattered around the room. Out of this 11, five are unregistered so there’s an added case for illegal possession [of firearms].)

The PNP-ACG listed a 12-gauge shotgun and four pistols — two nine millimeters, one caliber .25, and one caliber .40 among those taken from the suspect.

According to Sabino, charges of direct assault upon a person of authority have also been lodged against Recto after he resisted the confiscation of his gadgets and harmed an officer while doing so.

“Noong kinukuha na namin ‘yong mga gadget, nag-resist si suspect. Na-burn niya ng cigar ‘yong isa sa mga tropa namin kaya kakaharapin rin niya ang charge ng direct assault,” she detailed.

Recto, the older brother of Batangas 6th District Representative Ralph Recto, ran for Batangas governor in the 2022 elections but later withdrew his candidacy to show his support for Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas who emerged successful in his reelection bid.

INQUIRER.net tried to get the side of the former vice-governor but has yet to respond as of posting time.

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JPV